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 Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:43 pm
For days they followed that river. With every step they took the banks gradually grew wider as the river fanned out. Tall grass sprouted from the moist earth. Trees and bushes seemed to rise out of the muck. When the lion that was no longer Wahadi, that was now Majilipio-ni-Tupu, felt his paws sink into the mud for the first time he paused for a heartbeat, remembering.
Maji’s injured leg had healed by now, but the muscle was still a little sore. He hoped the ache would go away in time. Whatever happened, when Maji lifted his nose and sucked in that humid swamp air he smiled like he was a cub. He left behind sad memories in the swamp, but they were his. Lhach was surprised when her paws sank. It was like sand...but wet like water and thick. Surprised and curious, Lhach stopped, lifting a paw and wiggling her toes a bit. How...odd. She looked to Maji, noticing he'd paused as well. By the look on his face, they'd arrived.
"Hey Maji...this is where you grew up?" It was still odd on her tongue, his new name. But it felt right. She chalked it up to the Naming traditions of his home. Of the place she would call home if they accepted her. There was no way she was leaving Maji's side again.
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:55 pm
Majilipio-ni-Tupu. Revenge is Hollow. He didn’t have to think hard to find his new name. Lhach showed it to him. More importantly, he needed this name to remind himself never to chase after his parents’ murderer. He still didn’t know whether Mysmyr was really alive or dead, or some third thing. Whatever the case, it was time to put Mysmyr behind him. By the spirits, even with Lhach and his new name it was hard to let go. He might never stop wanting….
“Yes,” he replied hastily, shaking off his thoughts. He smiled at her feet and made an awkward joke. “Life in the swamps… you’re going to get wet.”
It wasn’t Lhach. It wasn’t Mysmyr either. Being away for so long made Maji feel like an outsider feel like an outsider in his own home. Maybe it wasn’t the time he spent away but the quest he took that made him feel like an alien. He lowered his head, gazing into the swamp. “I wish Kabu was here. She must be worried.”
Lhach chuckled, putting her paw back down. "I think I could get used to it. Might take a bit, but yup." If it kept her by Maji, she'd deal with just about anything. She had, after all, followed him against all odds.
The dark lioness moved a bit closer to him and smiled. "Well...we should go further in than. You can tell her you're okay. You've got your new name, and you're all grown up. I bet she'll be proud of you." She was sure of it, something that was reflected in her voice.
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:24 pm
“I hope so… I shouldn’t tell her what I’ve been doing. Ack, but then how would I explain my name?” He grimaced a little. If Kabu knew he had been chasing after Mysmyr she might think there was something wrong with him. And then she might blame herself. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being upset.
He glanced up, suddenly realizing that Lhach was standing over him. She stood at least a shoulder above him. Tana, or whatever his cousin called himself these days, would undoubtedly poke fun at him for having a mate who was taller than him. On the other hand, maybe he would be more understanding. Tana was a runt, too. He had been gone so long he wasn’t sure what to expect anymore, so he just sighed and lightly nosed Lhach’s cheek. “You need a new name, too. Got any ideas?”
That...was a bit of a dilemma. How to explain Maji's name. She frowned a bit, unsure. There had to be a way to explain it without upsetting her. "There's got to be some way to explain it..."
When he brought up the fact she would need a new name...she was a bit confused for a moment. That's right. She was going to need one. Her face screwed up a bit in thought. "Well...it's got to be something that's...well, me, right?" What was HER? She was a fighter, a guardian...A guardian! "Perhaps something to do with being a guardian? That's definitely something I am."
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:53 pm
Maji decided to stick to the subject of Lhach’s new name for now. Kabu’s den was deep in the swamp, they would have plenty of time before they reached her. Even though he was nervous about his new name he could hardly wait to see her.
“In the swamps we choose our names based on our life experiences,” he agreed. Yes, Lhach’s new name would have to be her. He wrinkled his nose a little because he still didn’t like to think that he needed a guardian. He told himself that if Lhach hadn’t found him he would have managed to survive and reunite with her somehow, even though he couldn’t imagine how it could have happened that way. He knew that he was a fighter and would never have given up. Tail swishing, he offered with a sly smile, “It could be something like that. Or maybe something about how stubborn you are.”
Lhach blinked and snorted, nudging his shoulder with her nose. "Well...if I'm stubborn, than so are you!" He was just as stubborn as her, if not more so! But...then again, that was one of the things she loved about him. "But it does~ give me an idea." She smirked at him. "Daima-tii-mlei." 'Forever Loyal Guardian'. It was perfect for her. Because no matter what...once she was by someone's side, she was there for good.
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 3:40 pm
“Of course I did. I’m a genius. Daima-tii-mlei….” He tasted Lhach’s new name. Each syllable rolled off his tongue with a lovely sound, bringing a smile to his face. He especially liked her choice of Daima. It suited her perfectly and sounded all the more beautiful because of that.
The once-Lhach rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Yes, of course. A genius." She smiled, though. "I'm glad you like it though. It may fit me...but it wouldn't quite fit if you didn't like it. After all, I followed you here~" Not that she minded at all. Yes, she'd only get to see her parents and siblings once in a while, but she really couldn't imagine a happy life without Maji.
((Fin~))
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